Exploration Rides

These riding holidays are for riders with a spirit of adventure. This will be the first time that we have experienced this trail ride or pack trip and so things may go wrong! You should feel excited at the prospect of being one of the first to experience a new country, new area or new guide. Open your mind and pack your sense of humour! It is likely that you will be accompanied by a member of our team who will welcome your feedback and will be on hand if things don't quite go to plan.... If the riding trail is a success then we may feature it on our website in the future, and if it isn't then you will have plenty of stories to tell your friends!

Types of riding holiday

A
horse riding expedition takes you on a long-distance itinerant horseback
ride with all your baggage, equipment and food carried by either pack mules
or horses or a support vehicle. You will ride through isolated and spectacular
regions often only accessible on horseback. You will sleep in simple, yet
comfortable, tents out under the stars.

A
trail riding holiday is an itinerant ride through stunning scenery. You
will ride a progressive route through the local landscape and stop at a
different place each night. The transport of the baggage, horses and riders is
all done by support vehicle. At night, you will sleep in comfortable tents,
gîtes, equestrian hostels or charming hotels.

A
ranch stay most often takes place on a cattle or horse rearing estancia
or ranch - depending on the part of the world you travel to. We choose to send
our riders to small or medium-sized, family-run ranches where you can really
get to know the owners and workers. Nights are sometimes spent camping out, but
more often than not are spent in the comfort of a simple gîte or high quality
lodge.

A
horseback safari offers a unique chance to explore native wildlife and
spectacular scenery on horseback. Routes can either be itinerant, with you camping
‘Out of Africa’ style, or centre-based, riding out each day from a lodge or
camp which are comfortable and generally open to only small groups of riders.
The horses you will be riding are truly exceptional as they will get up close
to the wildlife while you observe.

A
dressage training holiday allows riders to either train and improve or
perfect their dressage technique. The riding instructors are highly qualified
and by working with perfectly-trained horses, riders will be able to progress
and feel the precision of each movement.

A centre
basedriding holiday offers
riders daily trail riding or other equestrian activities from a fixed location
with accommodation. The rhythm of the ride is entirely flexible and these rides
are often open to non-riders. The type of accommodation varies, depending on
the country, from gîte to ranch or yurt to luxury lodge.

A
cattle drive focuses on the herding of cattle, deer, or sheep working alongside
the cowboys, gauchos, pantaneiros or mongols who raise them. Riders joining these
drives will get involved in the many different aspects such as corralling,
sorting, watching over the herd, branding, and castrating. Nights will be spent
under canvas or on ranches, farms or yurts.

A
horse drive involves moving herds of horses from pasture to pasture. In
general, the riders tasks will involve circling ahead of and behind the herd in
order to keep the horses in check, notably the youngsters. Nights will be spent
in tents or on ranches and farms.

Natural horsemanship holidaysallows for the discovery or the perfection of ‘Natural Horsemanship’
(ethological equitation), of which the aim is complicity and close cooperation
between horse and rider. The instructors have been trained in a variety of
methods such as those of Pat Parelli, Monty Roberts and Buck Brannaman, which
they have then adapted to form approaches of their own. Accommodation varies
depending on the destination and may include gîtes, ranches and guest houses.

An enduranceriding
holiday allows for the discovery and perfection
of endurance riding through open countryside. This equestrian discipline is
suitable for all experienced riders. The usual aim of these types of holiday is
to complete the preparation for a long-distance race. Accommodation varies
depending on the destination, and may include gîtes and guest houses.

On
a polo playing trip, you will be introduced to this invigorating
equestrian sport involving 4 players on horseback on two opposing teams. This
riding discipline is within the skill-set of any experienced rider.
Accommodation varies depending on the destination and may include estancias,
hotels or guest houses.

A
trip led by an extraordinary guide with a specialist knowledge of the
destination. Whether it be an open
itinerary or a trip full of memorable events, it is often the guide that truly
sets these trips apart; the guide’s insight and skill allows for total and
unique immersion into different horse cultures found throughout the world.

During
a family horse riding holiday, the pace of the ride, the riding level,
accommodation comfort and guides are chosen to suit the needs of a family
riding together. The transport of the luggage and of the riders and horses is
done by support vehicle. Non-riders are often welcome on these holidays. A family
horse riding holiday is also a fantastic opportunity for non-riders to get
into the saddle for the first time.

Riding levels

Each of our trips is assigned a minimum level of riding ability required. This reflects whether there is technical riding required; the terrain to be covered; the liveliness of the horses; the length of the riding days and the riding fitness required.

For novice riders, these riding holidays will give beginners the chance to get used to being in the saddle. In general, a beginner/ novice hasn't learned how to canter and has not yet mastered rising trot. They are able to mount safely and to control a horse at a walk.

For intermediate riders who are at ease at 2 paces (walk and rising trot and are starting to canter in a forward seat) out in open countryside. The intermediate rider is able to mount and dismount their horse unassisted, use basic riding aids, ride at a rising trot for at least 10 minutes, to change and control the pace from a walk to a trot and comfortably canter over short distances.

For experienced riders who have mastered all 3 paces (walk, rising trot, canter in a forward seat) over uneven terrain. The experienced rider rides regularly, has a good seat and is confident of their own ability. They are able to control the horse at speed and change direction of their horse at any pace and in any circumstance as needed.

For advanced riders who have mastered all 4paces (walk, rising trot, canter gallop in a forward seat) over uneven terrain on all types of horses including those that are very spirited. The advanced rider rides regularly has good physical fitness, has good soft hands and has the ability to gallop for long stretches without getting tired.

For all riders, whether they are novices, intermediate level, experienced or advanced. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, endurance training, natural horsemanship, trail riding orcentre based safaris.

For beginners and intermediate level riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capability of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.

For beginners, intermediate level and experienced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.

For intermediate level and experienced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, long-distance ridingtraining,endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.

For intermediate level, experiencedand advanced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, long-distance ridingtrainingendurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.

For experiencedand advanced riders. Each rider will be allocated a horse that is suited to their ability level. These riding holidays have a level of difficulty that can be adapted to the capabilities of each rider. For example: working with cattle on a ranch, dressage training, long-distance ridingtraining,endurance ridingtraining natural horsemanship and centre based safaris.

Comfort

Each of our rides has been assigned an expected level of comfort

Nights in tents, outdoor dining

Nights in hotels, guesthouses, B&B's or homestays. Double or twin rooms with bathrooms.

Nights in luxury or boutique accommodation. Rooms have private bathrooms.

Nights in basic shelter such as a mountain hut/cabin. Usually dormitory beds with shared bathrooms.

Nights in yurts, the traditional housing in Central Asia, with beds and sometimes stoves for heating.

Nights in luxury camps with proper beds and linen. Toilets and showers are usually provided.

Ideal For Families

These rides are ideal for families and offer maximum flexibility

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Non riders

Non riders are welcome to join their riding friends as activities are available for them such as riding lessons for beginners, cyling, walking, fishing, golf...